Celebrating Ski Ben Eoin’s history

50th anniversary season begins with gala event Saturday night at CBU

SYDNEY, N.S. — All that’s great from Ski Ben Eoin’s past and good things to come in its future will be highlighted during a gala 50th anniversary celebration tonight.

The event in the Great Hall at Cape Breton University will feature wine and cheese, live entertainment and something that’s expected to be a touching and educational look back at the origins of the popular winter recreation centre.

“We have taken all these histories and compiled them in one piece. It’s a modern-day look back at Ski Ben Eoin,” said Alan Peddle, the past president of the hill and the chair of the 50th anniversary committee.

“A former general manager, Kevin MacInnis, saved everything that ever happened and after 35 years he had a lot of information. We were able to take that out of boxes and compile it into a 10- or 15-minute video presentation.”

The ski hill’s origins date back to 1968 when a group of skiers took their love for skiing from Coxheath to the hills of Ben Eoin. Much has been written about Ski Ben Eoin since then, but three articles in particular, including one by former ski hill pioneer Gordon Nash, will form the basis for tonight’s video presentation.

“What we are trying to do is leave a bit of a legacy — something we can use in house, in schools, and in trade shows after the fact.”

Tonight’s activities will also include a recognition of past presidents of the ski hill. It’s people that Peddle said have stepped up through the years to run valuable groups and programs.

After the gala and throughout the upcoming ski year, other programs and activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary are scheduled.

There’s an anniversary party at the ski hill in January, a throwback social in February and a winter carnival in March.

The Atlantic race team reunion in February is also expected to be popular.

“Over the years there have been a lot of racers that have grown up and moved away,” said Peddle. “They have great memories of learning how to race at Ski Ben Eoin. We’ve invited them back.”

Officials hope the combined sum of the anniversary events will help the ski hill continue to grow and prosper.

“We encourage people not to sit at home at winter, but to get out and get some fresh air and exercise and enjoy the winter,” Peddle said.

“It’s a tremendous facility and it’s also a great social facility. You can go out and have a ski but you can also go to a dance from time to time.”